Background: Surgeons are regularly not involved in the post discharge care of patients after uncomplicated laparoscopic cholecystectomy. The purpose of the current study was to document the symptomatic recovery of patients following laparoscopic cholecystectomy, because this has a bearing on the planning of a postoperative care package. Methods: The study was designed as a postoperative telephone questionnaire survey and was carried out prospectively between June2016 and February2017 in King Abdulaziz Hospital, KSA. Results: The study cohort comprised 51 patients who all completed the study. Postoperatively, only 3% of the patients had postoperative nausea/vomiting lasting ≥2 days. Pain was symptomatic in 12% of patients. Port-site wounds were a source of significant symptoms in 69% of the patients. Postoperative reviews by a nurse and primary-care doctor were necessary in 76% and 34% patients, respectively, with a combined average of 3.1 reviews per patient. Less than 4% of patients believed that they would benefit from a surgeon's review 6 weeks after LC. Median time taken to return to routine preoperative activity after surgery was 21 days (IQR, 16 to 33), which was affected by the degree of activity undertaken, wound-related symptoms persisting for ≥3 weeks, planned follow-up clinic appointment, and discharge as an outpatient. Conclusion: Wound-related symptoms are common after LC, require substantial input from the community health service in their management, and may delay return to preoperative routine.
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